The Adventure Motorcycle That Quietly Became Honda’s Smartest Buy
What do you really need for an adventure? The brave among us would say that the best adventure bike is the bike you already have, even if it’s just a dual sport. But for most motorcyclists, you need a bike that has enough power to sit on the highway all day, off-road capability to handle the worst roads in the world (and some trails), and enough agility to not feel like you’re maneuvering a land yacht. Honda, with its adventure bikes, nails this balance better than most manufacturers, but there is one Honda that still stands out.
Honda Bikes Are Usually The Smarter Picks In Most Segments
Every motorcycle manufacturer has a reputation or stereotype attached to it, and that reputation exists for a reason, though it might not be 100 percent accurate. For instance, Aprilia sports bikes are known for razor-sharp handling but not reliability. On the other hand, Suzuki is seen as a slow-moving company that likes to over-engineer their engine platforms with cockroach-like reliability. Here, Honda enjoys a different kind of reputation. Honda bikes are often seen as the sensible option.
Whether you look at Honda’s sports bikes or tourers, Honda bikes are usually seen as the smarter pick because they focus on real-world performance, not spec sheet dominance. Excellent examples include the Gold Wing, CRF300L, or CBR650R, which may not be the most powerful or capable bikes in their respective segments, but are seen as the best pick if you don’t want a no-nonsense riding experience.
The same reputation translates to Honda’s adventure bikes. At the lower end is the NX500, a road-biased adventure tourer that is regarded as one of the best all-rounders for a one-bike garage. Then there’s the flagship Africa Twin, which is arguably the most sensible full-size adventure bike you can buy today. But there is a middleweight Honda ADV that stands out even more, offering a balance between small-bike agility and big-bike performance, all at an affordable price. The bike in question is the Transalp E-Clutch.
The Transalp E-Clutch Is The Smart Pick In Honda’s ADV Lineup
The Transalp E-Clutch is Honda’s middleweight adventure bike powered by a reliable parallel-twin engine that offers the right amount of power for the real world. It also gets an E-Clutch, along with adjustable suspension on both ends, a 21/18-inch wheel setup, and essential rider aids. Pair that with rally-inspired design with comfortable ergonomics and wind protection, and you have an adventure bike that can do it all. It is light enough to handle commuting and off-roading, while having enough performance and comfort to handle long-distance adventures and 500-mile highway days.
The MSRP Starts At $10,199
Another feather in the Transalp’s hat is its starting price of $10,199. It undercuts most of its middleweight rivals, including the Yamaha Tenere 700, which starts at $10,999. Other rivals, like the V-Strom 800DE and Aprilia Tuareg 660, start at $11,799 and $12,499, respectively. While these ADVs are good in their own right, they still lack the balance the Transalp offers.
A Reliable Unicam Parallel-Twin Engine With 90.5 Horsepower
The Honda Transalp E-Clutch’s biggest strength is easily its powerplant. Based on the CB750 Hornet’s engine, this parallel-twin engine displaces 755cc, producing 9.5 horsepower at 9,500 RPM and 55.3 pound-feet of torque at 7,000 RPM. Honda says this engine is tuned to deliver a healthy spread of torque across the rev range, with plenty of low-end power for easy off-roading and effortless cruising on the highway. It also gets a 270-degree firing order.
The engine gets Honda’s Unicam design, just like the Africa Twin. Essentially, the Unicam head keeps the cylinder head size compact, allowing Honda to optimally place the engine for better handling. Supporting this engine is a vortex air intake, which is said to improve low- to mid-range power delivery. It also uses high-pressure fuel injectors for better throttle response and a gear-driven counterbalancer to smooth out the vibrations while keeping the engine’s weight low.
E-Clutch Makes The Ride Easier
A special feature here is Honda E-Clutch, which now comes standard on the Transalp. This E-Clutch essentially takes care of the clutch duties, letting you shift the gears with your left foot without using the handlebar-mounted clutch lever. Don’t worry, you can still use the clutch when you want. The E-Clutch also doubles up as a bidirectional quickshifter for full-throttle gear shifts. This system makes riding the bike much easier in the city or on tours, without compromising clutch control while off-roading. The best of both worlds.
Versatile Underpinnings, Ergonomics, And Tech Features
The Honda Transalp E-Clutch is designed to go far without compromising everyday usability, and that begins with its 468-pound road-ready weight, low center of gravity, and compact mass. Honda achieves this by locating heavy components as close to the bike’s center of gravity, along with a compact Unicam engine design, which should make the bike easier to handle. Honda also highlights a 42-degree steering lock, which should translate to excellent maneuverability on tight trials and traffic.
Long-Travel Suspension From Showa
The entire setup sits on fully adjustable Showa suspension, letting you fine-tune the ride quality as per your mood and occasion. At the front, the bike features an inverted 43mm Showa SFF-CA fork with 7.9 inches of travel, which is paired with a rising-rate Pro-Link suspension with a Showa shock and 7.5 inches of travel. This gives the bike a good ground clearance of 7.7 inches, which means the bike can tackle light to medium off-road terrain easily. Aiding this setup is a standard 21/18-inch spoke wheel setup.
Long-Distance Ready Ergonomics And Design
The Transalp E-Clutch gets a rally-style fairing that is said to be lightweight and high-quality. This fairing and windscreen up front should offer decent wind and weather protection on the highway. Then there’s the comfortable seat said to be both supportive for aggressive cornering and comfortable for long hours in the saddle. The standard saddle sits 33.7 inches off the ground, but the optional accessory seat can drop it down to 32.6 inches. Even the ergonomics are neutral and should feel comfortable for most riders.
The bike also gets other things right, starting with the large 4.4-gallon fuel tank. Honda UK claims a fuel economy of around 55 miles per gallon, giving the bike an effective range of up to 242 miles. Other ADV-ready components on the bike include a standard skid plate, standard rear carrier, and a USB-C port. Honda also offers various accessories, including taller and lower seats, a taller windscreen, a center stand, and luggage options.
The Right Amount Of Electronics
Keeping the balancing theme alive, the bike comes with enough electronics for a safe ride, but not enough to drown you in endless electronics options. It features a 5-inch TFT display with Honda RoadSync, as well as self-canceling indicators and five ride modes, including Sport, Standard, Rain, Gravel, and custom modes. Safety is taken care of by ABS and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC).
The Transalp E-Clutch may not impress you on paper, but that would be missing the point. Everything on this bike is designed to make your adventure easier, not more complicated or feel like a handful. The bike has just the right amount of power, features, and comfort to get the job done without overwhelming you or making you want more. This is what makes the Transalp E-Clutch the smartest pick in Honda’s ADV lineup.
Source: Honda
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